Attachment for mining machines



Sept. 29, 1925. 1,555,464

[ w.,H. FARNE ATTACHMENT FOR MINING'MACHINES Filed Nov. 28, 1924 Patented Sept. 29, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. FARNE, OF WILLIAMSON, WEST VIRGINIA.

ATTAorrMENT ron ,MINING MACHINES.

Application filed. November 28, 1924. Serial N0. 752,654. v

Attachment for Mining Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a highly novel means for use'in connection with a coal mining machine wherein the latter is adapted to make a transverse cut in the coal, the purpose of the aforementioned means being to support the cutter means of the mining machine in a horizontal position during the operation of the machine.

With the coal mining machines now in use of the type which employ an endless cutter chain whereby a transverse cut is made in the coal, there is a tendency for the cutter means totilt either upwardly or downwardly. In order to prevent such tilting action and to normally hold the cutter means in a horizontal position whereby the machine may properly and efiiciently operate, I have provided a simple and efficient means which is manually controlled.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an attachment of the above mentioned character, which may be easily and readily secured in position on a coal mining machine, the device being simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable and furthermore adapted for the purposes for which it is designated.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the same: r e l Figure 1 is a top plan view of the-attachment embodying my invention showing the same applied.

Figure 2 is a side elevation with the holder in its uppermost position, and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately on line 33 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows showing the roller in its normal position.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates generally a coal mining machine of the type which employs the longitudinally extending cutter bar 2 and around which is adapted to travel the endless cutter chain 3 1n the manner well known in the art. As the above elements form no important part of the present invention, a further detailed description thereof is not thought necessary. My 1mproved attachment comprises a longitudinally extending shaft 4: which is supported in suitable bearings 5 at its respec- The fortive ends. between the cutter bar.

ward portion of the cutter bar is cut away as'illustrated at 6 and. the purpose thereof will be presently apparent. A pairv of spaced supporting arms? and 8 respectively are supported. at their inner ends on the forward end of the shaft 4t and extend laterally intothe cut out portion 6. A. roller 9 is journaled at its end between the outer ends of thesupporting arms 7 and 8 and normally the roller is disposed within the cut out portion 6. Secured to the rear end of the shaft 1 and extending laterally therefromis a lever 10. The lever 10 is also adapted to be disposed in a cut out portion 11 provided in the rear end of the cutter bar 2 as clearly illustrated in the drawing.

A stationary nut 12 is secured to the forward end of the motor housing 13 and threaded vertically through the nut 12-is the feed screw 14. A. swivel head 15is associated with the lower end of the feed screw 1 1 and a link 16 affords a connection between the swivel head 15 and the outer end of the lever 10 as more clearly illustrated in Figure 3. An operating handle times as a result of the tilting action, serious injury to the cutting bitsoccur necessitating the, replacing of the 'brokenbits. Furthermore, the -eificientmining of the coal is affected due to such tilting action. With my improved attachment, the cutting means will at all times be supported in proper position so that the same will maintain a transverse cut in a. horizontal plane. Normally the roller 9 is disposed within the cut out portion 6 and should the forward end of the mining machine tilt upwardly, the handle 17 is turned in one direction causing the feed screw 1 1 to move vertically and upwardly through the stationary nut 12 simultaneously causing the shaft 4 to be rotated through the medium of the lever 10 so as to swing the roller 9 upwardly.

The upward swinging movement of the roller 9 will cause the same to come in contact with the ceilingof the cut madeb the cutter means and will as a result cause the cutter means to maintain a horizontal cut-' 7 through the out out portion 6 and engage the bottom of the cut made by the cutter chain 3. This will also return the cutter means to its normal horizontal cutting position whereby the same may efficiently operate in carrying out'the mining of the coal.

The simplicity of my device enables the same to be readily and easily securedin position on a coal mining machine of the character above set forth and may be easily and efficiently operated whenever it: becomes necessary.

While I have shown the preferred embodim'ent'of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes'in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit" of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim-is 1. In combination with a'mining machine including the cutter means thereof, said cutter means being provided with a' cut out portion, of means for maintaining the cutter means in a horizontal position duringthe operation of the machine comprising a shaft associated with the cutter means, a roller eccentrically carriedby the forward end of the shaft and normally disposed in said cut out portion in the same plane with the cutter means, means associatedwith the opposite end of the shaft for actuating the same to cause the roller to swing'in a vertical plane in either direction through the cutout portion, saidmeans comprising a lever secured'at one end to the rear end of said shaft, a vertically adjustable member, a connection between the lower end, of the vertically adjustable member and'the outer cndof the lever, and 'means fora-ctuating said member, and also maintaining it in any desired position.

2. In combination with a mining machine including the cutter means thereof, said cutter means being provided with a cut out portion, of'means for maintaining the cutter means in a horizontal position during the operation of the-machine comprising ashaft supported on' the cutter means, a roller 'ec centrieally carried by the forward end of the shaft and normally disposed in said out out portion in the same plane with the cutter means, means associated with the opposite end of the shaft for actuating the same to cause the roller to swingin a vertical plane in Qlt-hBITlllQCljlOl'l through the cut out por tion, said means comprising a lever secured at one end to the rear end of the shaft a verticallyadjustable feed screw, a swivel head on the'lower end thereof, a connection between the swivel head and the outer end of said lever, and a handle associated with the upper end of the feed screw for actuating the same.

3. In combination with a mining m'achine including the cutter means thereof, said cutter means being provided with a cutout portion, of means for maintaining-the cutter means in-a horizontal position during the operation ofthe machine comprising a shaft mounted on the cutter means, a pair of spaced arms secured on the forward end of said shaft and extending laterally therefrom into said out outportion, a roller journaled in the outer 'ends of said arms, and-normally disposed in the cutout portions in the same plane with the cutter means, means associated with the opposite end of the shaft for actuating the same to cause-the arms and the' roller to swing in a vertical plane" in either directionthrough the cut out portion, said means'comp'rising a lever secured at one end to the rear end of the shaft, a vertically adjustable 'feed screw, a swivel head on the lower end thereof, a connection between the swivel head and the outer end of said lever, and a handle associated with the upper end of the feed screw for actuating the same.-

"In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WVILLIAM F'A-RN'E. 

